Page 53 of A Swan’s Love Song

home instead of in the hospital.”

Sean nodded. “That’s true.”

Shifter mammals and most of the other pregnancies were delivered at Vale Valley General

Hospital, but with an avian birth, it was different. Once the egg was laid, it needed to remain in the

nest until it hatched. Only in the case of an emergency, where there was no other option for survival,

was an egg ever moved.

“Sean? Did you want me to stay on the phone with you until Avi gets there?”

“Um…” He chewed on the other thumbnail while eyeing the crack. Is it bigger, or is that my

imagination? I should’ve measured it. “How long does this whole thing take?”

“Who knows? Every egg is different.”

The sound of the door opening made Sean bolt upright on the bed. When he’d made his nest

originally, he’d constructed it on the side that was pushed up to the wall. The mattress was plenty

large enough, and Sean always slept on the inside so he could cuddle up to the egg at night.

“Thanks, Kellan. He just got here!”

“Awesome. Tell him congrats and call me the minute your hatchling arrives, okay?”

They shared quick goodbyes then Avi burst into the bedroom. His skin was flushed, and his

chest was heaving.

“I got here as quickly as I could.” Avi toed off his sneakers then crawled onto the bed as if the

mattress might pop at any moment. “How are you doing, honey?”

He’d directed the words at Sean, but his gaze was firmly fixed on the egg.

“Did you call your uncle?”

Avi nodded absent-mindedly. “Uh-huh.” He finally regarded Sean then blinked a few times.

“He’ll stop by later. Oh, Sean.” Avi grinned. “Our baby is almost here.” He moved closer until he’d

wrapped his body around Sean’s. He nuzzled Sean’s neck. “You’ve made me so happy, I hope you

know that?”

A surge of emotion filled him—joy and love and peace and excitement all mixed up together

that made him grin so wide, his face hurt. He didn’t need to be nervous about the egg. How ridiculous

was that? Fate had brought him to Vale Valley and to the mate who was meant only for him.

And I’m the one who Avi has been waiting for, too.

Sean angled his head so he could see Avi’s eyes. “That’s because we’re meant to be.”